Headlight dimmer



Aug. 10', 1926.

" L. A. FEUCHTER HEADLIGHT DIMMER Filed Jan. 21. 1925 Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

rarest LEO A. FEUCHTER, OF IRONTON, OHI,

HEADLIGHT DIMMER.

Application filed January 21, V1925.

This invention relates to a dimmer or shield for use in connection with the headlights of automobiles in order to dim or control the headlights at desired times to avoid blinding of pedestrians and drivers of adjacent automobiles.

It is generally aimed to provide a novel construction of shield or dimmer and especially a novel means of connection between the dimmers and the control rod thereof to the end that the shield may be placed readily in adjusted positions and held therein by friction,

Another object is to provide a novel construction wherein the control rod is sectional to adapt the shield to automobiles of different types and wherein the control lever as applied to said rod is adjustable thereon.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a view of elevation;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation showing one of the dimmers in applied position;

Figure 3 is a plan view;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line t-t of Figure 1 to particularly illustrate the friction connection; and

Figure is an end view of one of the risors showing the operating shaft in section.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the headlights of an automobile or the like are shown as at 10. Each headlight has a shield or visor 11 associated therewith normally occupying a position out of use as shown in Figure l but being adapted for movement to the position dimming the headlight as suggested in Figure 2. These shields or visors may be of any appropriate construction of suitable material but preferably have plates or bodies 12 of arcuate form, having a suitable design as shown out therethrough and covered for instance by a sheet of Celluloid applied and fastened to the under side of the visor or shield. The Celluloid preferably is colored green and the rays of light will pass through the openings of the design of the shield and the Celluloid.

Each shield is pivotally mounted at opthe device in front are drilled at two serial No. 3,815.

posite ends as at 13, and from the removable rims 14- which secure the lenses of the headlights in place. Suitable openings points of each rim in horizontal alinemcnt, and through the saine bolts .15 have their shanks passed, being retained in such position by heads l'when the rim 1/1- is in place, it being understood that the proportion of the parts is such that the heads 16 are accommodated. A metal-- lic washer lsis applied to each bolt and engages the outer surface of rim 111s. Washers 18 are carried by the' shield 11, being rigid therewith and pass over the shanks of the bolts and engage the washers 17. EX- pansive springs 19 disposed about the bolts 15 and engage the washers 18 and nuts 20 threaded on said bolts. As a result of this construction, the washers 18 are urged to and maintained inA frictional engagement with the washers 17 and hence the shield l1 will remain in any position to which it is adjusted by friction.

A control rod as at 21 spans the shields. This control rod is made up of sections 22 adjustably connected' together by a sleeve coupling 23. At the outer ends, sections 22 have housings 24 of crow-foot forma tion which are disposed over the adjacent bolts 15 and fastened by bolts` or the like 25 to the shields.

The control rod 22 is adapted to be manipulated in any desired Way and to this end has a lever 26 adjust-able along one of the sections 22 and adapted to be fastened in adjusted position by a screw or the like 27. This rod carries a swivel coupling as at 28 of any desired form, to which an operating wire 29 or the like. may be fastened. Tire 29 preferably passes through the core of the automobile radiator, guided in any suitable manner, and manipulated from the dash board of the automobile.7 the latter features not being shown as they constitute no part of the present invention.

With the device installed on an Yautomobile, the visors or shields 11 normally occupy the position shown in Figure 1. lVhen the vehicleiequipped with my improvement is passing another or for any other reason, the headlights should be dimmed, the wire 29 is operated so as to shift lever 26, rod 22 and the shields or visors 11, moving the latter to any appropriate position by dimming the headlights 10 to any desired extent, some of the lights penetrating the hood through the visor and the openings formed by thedesign therein. rifhe parts remain in adjusted position merel 1 by friction.

Attention is also Called to the fact that the device does not need the services of a mechanic for installation since any one can drill or provide the holes in the rinis 1l for the bolts l5 und can connect the remaining; pui-ts as described.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they full within the spirit and scope o'l" the invention.

In combination with zt riin of ru headlight or the like, bolts pnssng outwardly through seid riin and retained by the rim, Washers on said bolts in trietional engagement with euch other, u Visor pivotally mounted on said bolts and Carrying; one of said washers :it each side thereof, springs to maintain said Washers in rietionai engageinent abutting the visor whereby the visor Will reinain in positions to whiolr it is adjusted, nuts on said bolts serving as abutments for said springs, and a control rod for the visor haring 'a hollow housing attached to the visor und covering the adjacent bolt und :lssociuted parts.

ln testimony whereof l zitiix my signature.

LEO A. FEUCHTEB. 

